National agricultural market policy: A strategy to reinstate three farm laws again under corporate influence, say farmers

JIND: Following the call of sanyukt kisan morcha (SKM) an umbrella and main body of farmers held a protest in Jind district in support of the ongoing farmers's protests at Khanauri and Shambhu borders. The ongoing protest was luanched on February 13 by two forums including SKM (non political) led by Jagit Singh Dallewal and Kisan majdoor morcha led by Sarwan Singh Pandher and this is the first time that SKM gave a open call to protest at district level in the nation to support their counterparts.

Farmers gathered at Ambedkar Chowk and take out a procession till the Mini Secretariat despite inclement weather in Jind. The protest was aimed at demanding the protection of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s life, who is on hunger strike unto death since November 26, repression against farmers heading towards Delhi, immediate release of all farmers from Luksar Jail in Noida and Greater Noida, withdrawal of the national agricultural market policy, and an immediate dialogue with farmer organizations and others. The protestors submitted a memorandum to Mohammad Imran Raza, deputy commissioner of Jind district quoting president Draupadi Murmu. Prior to the submission of the memorandum, the farmers burned copies of the National Agricultural Market Policy.

The protest was led by Master Balbir Singh, State President of the Kisan Sabha, Jogender Nain, State President of BKU Ghasi Ram, Baru Ram from BKU Tikait and Azad Palwa, Haryana SKM member.

Addressing the farmers, the leaders stated that the NDA-3 government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not following democratic principles and is intentionally avoiding discussions with farmer organizations and platforms, which has led to widespread resentment among farmers against the central government. The NDA-2 government shamelessly violated the agreement signed with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha on December 9, 2021, which had assured the repeal of the three farm laws, in the wake of the historic farmer struggle at the borders of Delhi. Following the formation of the NDA-3 government after the 18th Lok Sabha elections, SKM had submitted memorandums to the Prime Minister, opposition leaders, and members of both houses of Parliament on July 16 and18, 2024. On August 9, 2024, farmers staged nationwide protests against corporate control over agriculture.

The farmer leaders also highlighted that 109 farmers from Noida and Greater Noida have been falsely implicated in cases and have been in jail for the past 21 days. The charges against these farmers are baseless, and they should be immediately released from jail.

The NDA-3 government is introducing a new National Agricultural Market Policy, which is part of a corporate agenda strategy to reintroduce the three farm laws through the backdoor. Farmers have clearly stated that they will never accept this. Therefore, the farmers are demanding that the government should engage in talks with farmer organizations and ensure the safety of farmer leader Jagjit Singh DallewalI, immediately engage in talks with all farmer organizations and resolve all pending issues as per the agreement made on December 9, 2021, they said.

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